It has only been 9 days since the two teams met at Allen Arena, a 76-65 win by ETSU. Heading into the game at 12:30 Saturday at the ETSU/MSHA Athletics Center in Johnson City, ETSU has won its last seven games and also has a seven-game winning streak against the Lady Bisons.

The Lady Bisons are 4-17, 2-9 in the A-Sun and still seeking their first win on the road this season. ETSU is 11- 7, 9-1 in the conference.

“It’s kind of crazy playing them again just 9 days apart,” Lady Bisons coach Frank Bennett said. “They are still fresh on our minds. We can’t take it for granted that we know what they are going to do. I don’t know how that dynamic is going to work.”

The Lady Bisons gave ETSU a strong battle in their last meeting. Bennett is hopeful his team will start out on a strong note.

“We played them well the last time,” Bennett said. “We should have some confidence.

“We are going to have to play aggressively. We are going to have to shoot the ball well.”

Guard Jenna Bartsokas leads the Lady Bisons in scoring with 12.4 points per game, the 10th best average in the conference. Center Brittany Duerk is the rebound leader with six boards per game.

ETSU counters with three guards/forwards in double figures. TaRonda Wiles leads with 19.7 points per game. Siarre Evans is scoring at a 17.8 points per game. Gwen Washington is averaging 10.3 points. Evans also leads the Lady Buccaneers in rebounding with 10.3 per game.

“It is going to have to be a team effort on our part, particularly on defense,” Bennett said. “ETSU has a lot of offensive weapons. We have to keep them from penetrating the middle and kicking the ball back outside for 3-pointers. We have to send them to the baseline instead where we have some help.

“We also have to do a good job on the boards. We did a great job on the boards against them the last time we played.”

Bennett thinks that the ETSU/MSHA Athletics Center can be a challenge for visiting teams. The playing floor is placed on what used to be the football field.

“It is different than any other venue we play in,” Bennett said. “Last year they left a pretty large door open and it was really cold during pre-game and the first half.”

Center Kaitie Fritts has been fitted with a custom mask to protect her nose. She played against Belmont wearing a regular mask. Bennett is not sure how much time she will see against ETSU.